But the low-cost, low-risk food cart blessing is also a curse. Sure, it's still a democracy, but unlike restaurants, which require significant capital and foresight, food carts aren’t forced through the same natural selection, survival of the fittest rigmarole that keeps the brick and mortar population down.

And it’s getting worse.In our opinion, if there are 500 Portland food carts rotating in and out at any given time, maybe 10% of them are crave-worthy, thought provoking, or unique to the market. Because of the growing number, and because of their proven success (Step 1: purchase airstream trailer, Step 2: profit), the discrepancy in that ratio is getting wider. And, of course, many of the stalwarts—Lardo, Sok Sab Bai, Fifty-Licks—have abandoned their carts for greener pastures.

We are left wading through a sea of edible garbage, hunting down those rare moments of exceptional, affordable eating. Do we really need another kindergarten-level, bacon-themed cart? A greasy bahn-mi-noodle house? What about another Japanese-Chinese-Korean-Mexican taco truck?

Whose job is it to keep the carts in line? The pod owners? The general public? Should we sanction some sort of food cart oversight committee? Let us know in the comments below.